Hello everyone, today I'm going to share the amazing historical story of our Korean people! ๐ The 5,000-year history that unfolded on the Korean Peninsula is not just the passage of time, but an epic of resilience that overcame numerous crises. Despite foreign invasions, internal conflicts, wars and hardships, our people always rose again. Shall we look at this amazing history of resilience together? ๐ช
The history of our people began about 700,000 years ago. From the Paleolithic era, our ancestors who lived on this land survived wisely despite the harsh natural environment. They made comb-pattern pottery and began farming, gradually developing civilization.
From Gojoseon, which is said to have been founded by Dangun in 2333 BCE, we already had a national form and blossomed our unique culture. Did you know that the dolmens in our country account for half of the world's total? ๐ฎ Perhaps the spirit of cooperation that moved more stones than the pyramids was already engraved in Korean DNA from that time?
Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla... it was the era of three countries whose names alone make your heart swell with pride. Goguryeo ruled a vast territory with the courage to stand against the great Chinese empire (Don't you think the Goguryeo people must have been really cool? ๐), Baekje moved even Japan with its sophisticated culture and arts, and Silla realized the dream of a thousand-year kingdom and flourished with magnificent culture.
During this period, our ancestors were already wearing iron armor, making advanced weapons, and studying astronomy. You can see that from Cheomseongdae! ✨ Isn't the fighting spirit of our ancestors amazing, developing culture and technology while fighting against foreign invasions?
Goryeo, founded by Wang Geon in 918, was an open and international country. You've heard the story that even the emperor of Song Dynasty was impressed by the mysterious jade-blue color of Goryeo celadon, right? ๐บ But the really amazing thing about Goryeo is that it never knelt down even in the face of the Mongol invasion!
Goryeo resisted the Mongol invasion for more than 30 years... and during that time, they created the Tripitaka Koreana and the world's first metal movable type printing, 'Jikji'! ๐คฏ Isn't that really amazing even now? Protecting and developing culture even during war - this is the Korean spirit!
Joseon, founded by Yi Seong-gye, was a dynasty that lasted for 500 years. The most proud achievement is, of course, Hunminjeongeum (Hangul) created by King Sejong! ๐ Isn't it amazing to create the most scientific and easy-to-learn writing system in the world?
Even after experiencing two major wars, the Japanese Invasion and the Manchu War, Joseon did not collapse. Rather, it gave birth to heroes like Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and after the war, the culture blossomed again. ๐ Practical studies developed, folk culture flourished, and buildings like Suwon Hwaseong were built, achieving a renaissance. The wisdom of finding a new path in crisis - that's typical of us Koreans!
The 35 years of Japanese colonial rule was truly a dark period. But even in that darkness, the fighting spirit of our people who rose up in the March 1st Movement and fought for independence was amazing. ๐ฅ After liberation, another tragedy called the Korean War came, but we rose again from the ruins and created the 'Miracle on the Han River'.
Everyone, think about it! A country that was poorer than the poorest countries in Africa in the 1960s has now become one of the world's top 10 economic powers. ๐ฒ A country with global companies like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, a cultural powerhouse where K-pop and K-dramas sweep the world. This is all the miracle achieved by the blood and sweat of our parents' and grandparents' generations!
From the April 19 Revolution, the May 18 Democratization Movement, to the June Democratic Uprising... the courage of our citizens who took to the streets for democracy made today's Republic of Korea. ๐ During the IMF crisis, we surprised the world with the gold collection movement, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, we set an example with K-quarantine.
Throughout our 5,000-year history, our people have always shown wisdom and perseverance in turning crisis into opportunity. Saying "Oh my, what is all this..." but eventually getting up saying "Okay, let's give it a try!" - isn't this the Korean spirit? ๐
Although we bear the pain of division, someday we will write a new history as a unified Korea. Imagine a new Republic of Korea extending from the Han River to the Yalu and Tumen Rivers. Our history is still ongoing! ๐
Don't forget that you too are the protagonists of this great history. Even at this moment, we are creating the next 5,000 years of history together! ๐ฐ๐ท✨
